Davy Crockett Ballad of Davy Crockett
Fess Parker Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Born on a mountain top in Tennessee
Greenest state in the land of the free
Raised in the woods so he knew ev'ry tree
Kilt him a be 'are when he was only three
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier

In eighteen thirteen the Creeks uprose
Addin' redskin arrows to the country's woes
Now, Injun fightin' is somethin' he knows
So he shoulders his rifle an' off he goes
Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who don't know fear

Off through the woods he's a marchin' along
Makin' up yarns an' a singin' a song
Itchin' fer fightin' an' rightin' a wrong
He's ringy as a be 'are an' twict as strong
Davy, Davy Crockett, the buckskin buccaneer

Andy Jackson is our gen'ral's name
His reg'lar soldiers we'll put to shame
Them redskin varmints us Volunteers'll tame
'Cause we got the guns with the sure-fire aim
Davy, Davy Crockett, the champion of us all

Headed back to war from the ol' home place
But Red Stick was leadin' a merry chase
Fightin' an' burnin' at a devil's pace
South to the swamps on the Florida Trace
Davy, Davy Crockett, trackin' the redskins down

Fought single-handed through the Injun War
Till the Creeks was whipped an' peace was in store
An' while he was handlin' this risky chore
Made hisself a legend for evermore
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier

He give his word an' he give his hand
That his Injun friends could keep their land
An' the rest of his life he took the stand
That justice was due every redskin band
Davy, Davy Crockett, holdin' his promise dear

Home fer the winter with his family
Happy as squirrels in the ol' gum tree
Bein' the father he wanted to be
Close to his boys as the pod an' the pea
Davy, Davy Crockett, holdin' his young'uns dear

But the ice went out an' the warm winds came
An' the meltin' snow showed tracks of game
An' the flowers of Spring filled the woods with flame
An' all of a sudden life got too tame
Davy, Davy Crockett, headin' on West again

Off through the woods we're ridin' along
Makin' up yarns an' singin' a song
He's ringy as a be 'are an' twict as strong
An' knows he's right 'cause he ain' often wrong
Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who don't know fear

Lookin' fer a place where the air smells clean
Where the trees is tall an' the grass is green
Where the fish is fat in an untouched stream
An' the teemin' woods is a hunter's dream
Davy, Davy Crockett, lookin' fer Paradise

Now he's lost his love an' his grief was gall
In his heart he wanted to leave it all
An' lose himself in the forests tall
But he answered instead his country's call
Davy, Davy Crockett, beginnin' his campaign

Needin' his help they didn't vote blind
They put in Davy 'cause he was their kind
Sent up to Nashville the best they could find
A fightin' spirit an' a thinkin' mind
Davy, Davy Crockett, choice of the whole frontier

The votes were counted an' he won hands down
So they sent him off to Washin'ton town
With his best dress suit still his buckskins brown
A livin' legend of growin' renown
Davy, Davy Crockett, the Canebrake Congressman

He went off to Congress an' served a spell
Fixin' up the Govern'ments an' laws as well
Took over Washin'ton so we heered tell
An' patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell
Davy, Davy Crockett, seein' his duty clear

Him an' his jokes travelled all through the land
An' his speeches made him friends to beat the band
His politickin' was their favorite brand
An' everyone wanted to shake his hand
Davy, Davy Crockett, helpin' his legend grow

He knew when he spoke he sounded the knell
Of his hopes for White House an' fame as well
But he spoke out strong so hist'ry books tell
An' patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell
Davy, Davy Crockett, seein' his duty clear

When he come home his politickin' done
The western march had just begun
So he packed his gear an' his trusty gun
An' lit out grinnin' to follow the sun
Davy, Davy Crockett, leadin' the pioneer

He heard of Houston an' Austin so
To the Texas plains he jest had to go
Where freedom was fightin' another foe
An' they needed him at the Alamo
Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who don't know fear

His land is biggest an' his land is best
From grassy plains to the mountain crest
He's ahead of us all meetin' the test




Followin' his legend into the West
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier

Overall Meaning

The "Ballad of Davy Crockett" tells the story of the life of Davy Crockett, a legendary figure from Tennessee who is remembered for his pioneering and political achievements. He is described as being born on top of a mountain in Tennessee, which is referred to as the "greenest state in the land of the free." Crockett is portrayed as a man who was raised in the woods, which helped him learn the trees and how to hunt. The song goes on to describe how, at only three years old, he killed a bear, demonstrating his bravery and strength.


The song then talks about Crockett's involvement in the Creek Indian War. In 1813, Crockett took up arms to fight the Native American tribe, which had increased tensions by adding "redskin arrows to the country's woes." Because of Crockett's experience and skill in fighting Indians, he was called up to serve in the war. Crockett was known for being "ringy as a be 'are an' twict as strong," which helped him to become a successful soldier.


The song then recounts Crockett's political career as he is elected to Congress and serves in Washington DC. It notes how he worked to fix the government and the laws, traveling throughout the land and making jokes and speeches that won him many admirers. He is shown as being a man who was dedicated to his country and his people, someone who held his promises to the Native Americans dear. The song ends with Crockett moving west, following his legend into the frontier, and eventually heading to fight in the Texas Revolution.


Line by Line Meaning

Born on a mountain top in Tennessee
Davy Crockett was born in the beautiful state of Tennessee, known for its lush greenery and being a symbol of freedom.


Greenest state in the land of the free
Tennessee is known as the greenest state in America, representing freedom and natural beauty.


Raised in the woods so he knew ev'ry tree
Growing up in the wilderness, Davy Crockett had extensive knowledge of every tree in the woods.


Kilt him a be 'are when he was only three
Even at a young age of three, Davy Crockett showed his remarkable skill by hunting and killing a bear.


Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier
Davy Crockett became known as the king of the wild frontier due to his exceptional skills, bravery, and adventurous spirit.


In eighteen thirteen the Creeks uprose
In the year 1813, the Creek Native Americans rebelled against the American settlers.


Addin' redskin arrows to the country's woes
The Native Americans' use of arrows in the conflict added to the challenges faced by the country.


Now, Injun fightin' is somethin' he knows
Davy Crockett had experience and familiarity with fighting against Native American tribes.


So he shoulders his rifle an' off he goes
Armed with his trusty rifle, Davy Crockett bravely marches into battle.


Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who don't know fear
Davy Crockett is renowned for his fearlessness, displaying great courage in the face of danger.


Off through the woods he's a marchin' along
With determination, Davy Crockett marches through the woods, unwavering in his pursuit of his goals.


Makin' up yarns an' a singin' a song
As he journeys, Davy Crockett entertains himself by telling tales and singing songs.


Itchin' fer fightin' an' rightin' a wrong
Davy Crockett eagerly seeks opportunities for combat and correcting injustices.


He's ringy as a be 'are an' twict as strong
Comparing himself to a bear, Davy Crockett describes himself as agile and twice as strong.


Davy, Davy Crockett, the buckskin buccaneer
With his buckskin attire, Davy Crockett is seen as a fearless adventurer and pirate of the wilderness.


Andy Jackson is our gen'ral's name
Andrew Jackson is the name of our esteemed general.


His reg'lar soldiers we'll put to shame
Our group of volunteers will outperform and embarrass the regular soldiers under General Jackson's command.


Them redskin varmints us Volunteers'll tame
The Native American enemies will be brought under control by the valiant volunteers like us.


'Cause we got the guns with the sure-fire aim
Thanks to our superior firearms and accurate shooting skills, we have an advantage over the Native Americans.


Davy, Davy Crockett, the champion of us all
Davy Crockett becomes the symbol and hero of all of us, representing our strength and triumph.


Headed back to war from the ol' home place
After a brief return home, Davy Crockett sets off again to engage in the war effort.


But Red Stick was leadin' a merry chase
The Native American leader known as Red Stick leads an elusive pursuit against Davy Crockett and his comrades.


Fightin' an' burnin' at a devil's pace
Engaging in intense battles and destructive acts, the conflict escalates quickly.


South to the swamps on the Florida Trace
In pursuit of Red Stick and his forces, Davy Crockett ventures into the swampy terrain along the Florida Trace.


Davy, Davy Crockett, trackin' the redskins down
Davy Crockett becomes determined to hunt down and defeat the Native American forces, relentlessly tracking them.


Fought single-handed through the Injun War
Davy Crockett valiantly fought alone throughout the Native American conflict, demonstrating his bravery and skill.


Till the Creeks was whipped an' peace was in store
Davy Crockett persisted until the Creek tribe was defeated, ultimately bringing about a state of peace.


An' while he was handlin' this risky chore
During the dangerous task of fighting the Native Americans, Davy Crockett exhibited great courage and resolve.


Made hisself a legend for evermore
Davy Crockett's heroic actions cemented his status as a legendary figure for eternity.


Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier
Davy Crockett's achievements and reputation earned him the title of the king of the untamed wilderness.


He give his word an' he give his hand
Davy Crockett made a promise and solemnly pledged his commitment.


That his Injun friends could keep their land
He assured his Native American friends that they could retain ownership of their lands.


An' the rest of his life he took the stand
Throughout his life, Davy Crockett remained steadfast in his beliefs and principles.


That justice was due every redskin band
He firmly believed that every Native American tribe deserved justice and fair treatment.


Davy, Davy Crockett, holdin' his promise dear
Davy Crockett valued his promise and remained committed to upholding it with unwavering dedication.


Home fer the winter with his family
Davy Crockett returns home during the winter season to spend time with his beloved family.


Happy as squirrels in the ol' gum tree
They experience pure joy and contentment, likened to happy squirrels living in a familiar gum tree.


Bein' the father he wanted to be
Davy Crockett cherishes the opportunity to be the ideal father figure he aspired to be.


Close to his boys as the pod an' the pea
His bond with his sons is strong, just like the close relationship between a pod and a pea.


Davy, Davy Crockett, holdin' his young'uns dear
Davy Crockett values and cherishes his children, prioritizing their happiness and well-being.


But the ice went out an' the warm winds came
As winter gives way to spring, the ice melts, and warm winds blow across the land.


An' the meltin' snow showed tracks of game
With the melting snow, signs of animal tracks start to appear, signaling the availability of game for hunting.


An' the flowers of Spring filled the woods with flame
As spring arrives, vibrant flowers bloom and fill the woods with magnificent colors, resembling flickering flames.


An' all of a sudden life got too tame
Davy Crockett finds himself yearning for excitement and adventure, feeling dissatisfied with a mundane life.


Davy, Davy Crockett, headin' on West again
With a desire for new thrills, Davy Crockett embarks on a journey towards the western frontier.


Off through the woods we're ridin' along
Together, we ride through the woods, continuing our journey towards new horizons.


Makin' up yarns an' singin' a song
As we travel, we entertain ourselves by sharing stories and singing songs, creating our own legends.


He's ringy as a be 'are an' twict as strong
Davy Crockett maintains his agility and strength, comparing himself to a sturdy and resilient bear.


An' knows he's right 'cause he ain' often wrong
Confident in his decisions, Davy Crockett believes in his own judgment, as he rarely makes mistakes.


Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who don't know fear
Fearlessness is a defining characteristic of Davy Crockett, making him a man who is unafraid of any challenge.


Lookin' fer a place where the air smells clean
Yearning to find a location with fresh, pure air that rejuvenates the spirit.


Where the trees is tall an' the grass is green
A place with towering trees and lush green grass, evoking a sense of tranquility and natural beauty.


Where the fish is fat in an untouched stream
Seeking a stream full of healthy and abundant fish, untouched by human interference.


An' the teemin' woods is a hunter's dream
Dreaming of a forest teeming with wildlife, a paradise for passionate hunters.


Davy, Davy Crockett, lookin' fer Paradise
Davy Crockett embarks on a quest to find his own personal paradise, a utopia of natural splendor and serenity.


Now he's lost his love an' his grief was gall
Having experienced the loss of his beloved, Davy Crockett carries a heavy burden of grief.


In his heart he wanted to leave it all
Deep down, he desires to abandon everything and find solace elsewhere, away from his pain.


An' lose himself in the forests tall
He yearns to immerse himself in the towering forests and escape from his troubles.


But he answered instead his country's call
Despite his personal desires, Davy Crockett answers the call to serve his country.


Davy, Davy Crockett, beginnin' his campaign
Initiating his political career, Davy Crockett embarks on a mission to bring about positive change.


Needin' his help they didn't vote blind
Recognizing his valuable assistance, people who needed help made an informed decision to vote for Davy Crockett.


They put in Davy 'cause he was their kind
Davy Crockett's genuine character and shared values made him the preferred choice for those who supported him.


Sent up to Nashville the best they could find
Acknowledging his capabilities, the people of his community sent him to Nashville as a representative.


A fightin' spirit an' a thinkin' mind
Davy Crockett possesses both a courageous spirit and an intelligent mind, making him an exceptional leader.


Davy, Davy Crockett, choice of the whole frontier
With his combined qualities, Davy Crockett emerges as the preferred candidate and representative of the entire frontier.


The votes were counted an' he won hands down
After tallying the votes, it became clear that Davy Crockett won by a wide margin.


So they sent him off to Washin'ton town
Elected by the people, Davy Crockett is sent to Washington, D.C. to fulfill his duties as a representative.


With his best dress suit still his buckskins brown
Despite the formal setting, Davy Crockett remains true to his rugged outdoor attire, wearing his trusty buckskin clothing.


A livin' legend of growin' renown
Davy Crockett becomes a living legend, gaining increasing fame and admiration from those who hear of his accomplishments.


Davy, Davy Crockett, the Canebrake Congressman
Davy Crockett assumes the role of a congressman, representing the people of his region known for its dense canebrakes.


He went off to Congress an' served a spell
Davy Crockett willingly accepts the responsibility of serving in Congress for a period of time.


Fixin' up the Govern'ments an' laws as well
During his term, Davy Crockett actively works to improve and reform the government and its legislation.


Took over Washin'ton so we heered tell
Rumors spread that Davy Crockett's influence and impact were so significant that he practically took control of Washington.


An' patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell
Metaphorically, Davy Crockett's efforts were seen as mending the divisions and restoring unity within the nation, like fixing a crack in the Liberty Bell.


Davy, Davy Crockett, seein' his duty clear
Davy Crockett always maintains a clear understanding of his responsibilities and obligations.


Him an' his jokes travelled all through the land
Davy Crockett, along with his entertaining jokes, becomes well-known and travels extensively throughout the country.


An' his speeches made him friends to beat the band
His captivating speeches allow him to forge numerous friendships and gain widespread popularity.


His politickin' was their favorite brand
Davy Crockett's political strategies and actions were well-liked and highly regarded by the people.


An' everyone wanted to shake his hand
He becomes so admired that everyone desires to have the honor of shaking his hand.


Davy, Davy Crockett, helpin' his legend grow
Through his actions and public interactions, Davy Crockett contributes to the growth and perpetuation of his own legendary status.


He knew when he spoke he sounded the knell
Davy Crockett was aware that his words carried great weight and often signified significant changes or impacts.


Of his hopes for White House an' fame as well
Although he aspired to hold the presidency and gain fame, Davy Crockett understood that his speeches might have ended those ambitions.


But he spoke out strong so hist'ry books tell
Despite the potential consequences, Davy Crockett fearlessly spoke his mind, leaving an indelible mark on history.


An' patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell
Again, like mending a crack in the Liberty Bell, his actions were perceived as unifying and healing to the nation.


Davy, Davy Crockett, seein' his duty clear
Remaining steadfast in his convictions, Davy Crockett continues to understand and fulfill his responsibilities dutifully.


When he come home his politickin' done
After concluding his political career, Davy Crockett returns home, leaving his political endeavors behind.


The western march had just begun
With the westward expansion of the country in progress, a new chapter of exploration and growth is just beginning.


So he packed his gear an' his trusty gun
Preparing for the journey, Davy Crockett gathers his equipment and his reliable firearm.


An' lit out grinnin' to follow the sun
Setting off with a wide grin on his face, Davy Crockett eagerly embarks on an adventure to chase the sun.


Davy, Davy Crockett, leadin' the pioneer
As a trailblazer of the frontier, Davy Crockett takes on the role of leading and guiding the pioneers.


He heard of Houston an' Austin so
Having heard of influential individuals like Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin, Davy Crockett becomes intrigued.


To the Texas plains he jest had to go
Driven by curiosity and the desire to explore, Davy Crockett feels compelled to travel to the vast plains of Texas.


Where freedom was fightin' another foe
In Texas, a new battle for freedom and independence is being fought against outside forces.


An' they needed him at the Alamo
Recognizing his significance, the defenders at the Alamo strongly believed that Davy Crockett's presence was crucial.


Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who don't know fear
Once again, Davy Crockett's fearlessness and bravery shine through, making him a man unafraid of any challenge.


His land is biggest an' his land is best
Being proud of his country, Davy Crockett believes that his land is the largest and the finest in the world.


From grassy plains to the mountain crest
His land stretches from the wide open grassy plains to the majestic peaks of the mountains.


He's ahead of us all meetin' the test
In terms of meeting the challenges and demands of the frontier, Davy Crockett surpasses everyone else.


Followin' his legend into the West
People are inspired by Davy Crockett's legendary status and, as a result, follow his lead as the frontier expands westward.


Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier
Through his extraordinary accomplishments and unwavering spirit, Davy Crockett is revered as the king of the untamed wilderness.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: TOM BLACKBURN, GEORGE EDWARD BRUNS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@patrickstocks3576

Born on a mountain top in Tennessee
Greenest state in the land of the free
Raised in the woods, so he knew ev’ry tree 🌳
Kilt him a bar when he was only 3
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier

Fought single-handed through the Injun War
‘Til the Creeks was whipped and peace was in store 🏬
While he was handlin’ this risky chore
Made himself a legend for evermore
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier

He give his word and he give his hand 🖐
That his Injun friends could keep their land
The rest of his life, he took the stand
That justice was due every redskin band
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier

He went off to congress an’ served a spell
Fixin’ up the Governments an ‘laws as well
Took over Washington as we heered tell
An ‘patched up the crack in the Liberty bell 🔔
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier

When he come home 🏡 his politickin’ done ✅
The western March has just begun
So he packed his gear an’ his trusty gun
An ‘ lit out grinnin’ to follow the sun ⛅️
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier

His land is biggest an ‘his land is best
From grassy plains to the mountain crest
He’s ahead of us all, meetin’ the test
Followin’ his legend into the west
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the frontier

King of the wild frontier



All comments from YouTube:

@mkl62

This version of The Ballad of Davy Crockett by Fess Parker made it to #6 on the Top 40 charts and finished at #22 overall in 1955. 1955; the year that the music industry changed forever. On July 9, 1955, Bill Haley and His Comets hit #1 with Rock Around the Clock, signifying the start of the Rock Era.

@SaraAppletonwastheQWERTYmail

My hero; cheers for our Alamo & Tenn. & Texas! 🥹❤️😎

@ernestdonaldmazurick7097

I was 13 when this was going. My brother, age four underwent brain surgery the spring this was popular. By brother who was 11 at this time and I stayed by our selves during this time. I am 81 now and think of these times often. This would never be allowed today,
Thank-you for the memorys

@funguy4utube

Just ran across this and wow am I getting powerful waves of nostalgia hearing this... I was born in 1950 ... so you can figure this represented a wonderful time in my life.

@michelcharron4633

Me too funguy, born 1950....I remember my old man buying me the Davy Crockett annual, and a woman in the street making all us kids in the street Davy Crockett hats from an old fur coat..different times.

@olensoifer9901

Me too, guy.

@cabamama

Me too.....born in '49.

16 More Replies...

@rayc.8555

As a kid in the 50's I played this record hundreds of times.

@Illustraful

Did you listen to it on the jukebox in the local diner? Do you remember seeing a kid in a red life preserver ordering a Pepsi?

@urmanthenascarfan5847

@@Illustraful haha I got that reference!

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